Introducing The B.A.R. Awards: Vietnam’s By The Industry, For The Industry Celebration

Vietnam’s first industry-focused restaurant and bar awards is as much a celebration of the industry at the end of a calendar year filled with long nights and tough shifts. The organizers have invited 300 bars and restaurants nationwide to pick their favorites, and to send their team to the party, on 12 December, 2023 at ANTStudio in Saigon’s District 2. 

Đọc bài viết bằng Tiếng Việt

A nationwide recognition, the B.A.R. Awards look to celebrate the country’s booming hospitality industry and to raise a glass to the exceptional talent within it. 

“Everyone loves to eat and drink,” the organizers explain, “but off-duty, the industry can be insular – that’s why we created the awards ceremony as a celebration. At the B.A.R. Awards, which we informally refer to as ‘The Bars,’ the best of the country’s bars and restaurants will get to hang out, and to that we’ll sprinkle in the media, artists and DJs, and interested outside guests, to create a mix that should be one of the most exciting social events of the year – they’re be live bands, DJs and activities, and of course, some awards.”

The industry can give off a glamorous image, they say. But the reality is bar and restaurant staff are working while the rest of us are having fun. The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide and the attention of the 50 Best organizers are helping to shine some light onto their hard work, but there could always be more. 

In addition to recognizing outstanding restaurants and bars, the organizers aspire for this event to inspire future collaborations. “We’re seeing more and more international and local pop-ups and guest shifts in Vietnam, and we hope that the B.A.R. Awards help to create a lot more.”

How The By The Industry, For The Industry Voting Works

The organizers have asked 300 bars and restaurants nationwide to vote on a long list of options in different categories – best design, rising star, best restaurant, and best new bar. 

To ensure fairness, each of the voting bars and restaurants nominate two staff to vote – they can be anyone from founder and owner, to bartender or even barback. The voter accesses a link, and inputs some personal details including an email address that helps verify their place of work. Then they pick their favorites. They’re encouraged not to discuss their votes with anyone, and they’re prohibited from voting for their own establishment. 

Winning A Gold Bar

This year, the awards focus on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, two bustling hubs of hospitality in Vietnam, but in subsequent years will expand to involve bars and restaurants nationwide. This is an opportunity for every establishment to steal the spotlight and celebrate their unique contribution to our vibrant food and drink industry.

The prestigious awards have been designed to resemble gold bars, emblematic of excellence and achievement. There will be awards divided into three main categories: restaurants, bars and industry suppliers and five sub-categories within each of those:

Celebrating In Serious Style

The winners will be announced at the B.A.R. Awards event ceremony held at ANTS Studio in Saigon on 12 December.

Set to be an evening of spectacular celebration, the theme is The Greenhouse, as the awards look to shine a light on those striving towards sustainability in their hospitality practices. Correspondingly, the dress code is floral and farmer chic. Drinks will be free flowing courtesy of Altos, Beefeater and Chivas Regal, who will be joined by the team from Shake Fest, a cocktail competition set to launch next year. Perrier and Evian are also joining the party, as too, is Edelweiss beer. Food comes courtesy of Eddie’s Diner and the GoodTime burger boys, Duc, Tommy and Long. And the whole event, has been put together in association with the Restaurant Association of Vietnam, Maybe, Men’s Folio, and ourselves at The Dot Magazine.

Leading the proceedings and helping announce the award winners will be duo MCs Minh, lead singer of Saigon Soul Revival, and renowned party starter DJ, NOIZAY. After the award ceremony, an international DJ lineup, with the likes of Teddy Chilla and Maraphoria, will crank things up notch and carry the celebrations on into the night.

Only a handful of limited public tickets are still up for grabs on the B.A.R.’s website. If you are wanting to be part of this exclusive night, partying away with the very best of Vietnam’s glittering hospitality talent in applaud of the year’s achievements, secure your spot now.

Follow @thebarsawards to find out more.